THE man behind the surprise bid to run north Swindon’s newest primary school as an Islamic faith school has hit back at his critics.

Shahid Sahu believes his detractors have not taken the time to look at the proposal and denies claims that the school will be single faith.

Speaking exclusively to the Adver, he also revealed his plans for the future of the school, which he hopes could eventually cater for children of all ages.

Mr Sahu is the chairman of the Al Habib Islamic Education and Culture Centre, which was founded in 2006 and is based in Manchester Road.

The centre was the only organisation that challenged Swindon Council’s bid to run the school, which will be based in Oakhurst.

Councillors have expressed concerns that local children would be overlooked if the school was run as an Islamic faith school.

But Mr Sahu assured the Adver that the school would only reserve 50 per cent of the available 420 places for Muslim students. The remaining 50 per cent would be open to any pupil. The funding for the school building has already been secured and any future building work would be 90 per cent funded by the Government, leaving the Al-Habib group to find the extra 10 per cent.

Mr Sahu said: “I think there is a lot of misunderstanding and I think the people who are worried about this bid should look carefully at what we want to do.

“We are absolutely not taking school places away from local children – this is not a single faith school and we welcome all children.

“This school will promote cohesion and inclusion with all cultures. There is a real need for something like this in Swindon. I know Muslim parents who are taking their children as far as Gloucester because they want them to learn about Islamic culture and faith.

“I also want people to understand that this school will be run within the framework of the national curriculum. But it will also give young Muslims the chance to learn about their faith.

“The Islamic faith teaches peace and tolerance, and this is what we want to focus on. We want to teach young people about their faith and how important it can be in their life.

“But 50 per cent of this school will be open to local children of any faith.

“Muslim children can go to a Roman Catholic school, and this is exactly the same thing.”

Mr Sahu also revealed that he has plans beyond just a primary school. He said: “We would like to start as a primary school but in the future we would like a through school. We could include a secondary school and through to sixth form.”

Mr Sahu also brushed aside comments by Azim Khan in Thursday’s Adver. Mr Khan had voiced his concerns about where the students would come from.

Mr Sahu said: “There is a large Muslim population in Swindon and it is growing.

“There is a lot of diversity within that culture, including Pakistani, Iranian, Turkish, and lots more.

“This community is very scattered and the parents I have spoken to say there will be no problem filling the school, and they say that Oakhurst is a good location for them.

“If our organisation is trying to do something for Swindon kids that can only be a good thing.

“This is a good decision and it is the right time for it.”

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